A fuzzy IMM-UKF algorithm for highly maneuvering multi-target visual-based tracking

In this paper, we present an efficient filtering algorithm to perform accurate estimation in jump Markov nonlinear systems, in case of multi-target tracking. With this paper, we aim to contribute in solving the problem of model-based body motion estimation by using data coming from visual sensors. The interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm is specially designed to track accurately targets whose state and/or measurement (assumed to be linear) models changes during motion transition. However, when these models are nonlinear, the IMM algorithm must be modified in order to guarantee an accurate track. In this paper we propose to avoid the extended Kalman filter because of its limitations and substitute it with the unscented Kalman filter which seems to be more efficient especially according to the simulation results obtained with the nonlinear IMM algorithm (IMM-UKF). To resolve the problem of data association, we propose to use a Fuzzy approach. The later is then combined with the IMM-UKF algorithm; the derived algorithm is called fuzzy-IMM-UKF.